Apparatus for preparation of cellulated slag



F. OSBORNE March 15, 1960 APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION OF CELLULATED SLAG 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1954 IN V EN TOR. BY r'E 0 0: so mvg $445M! M/ Any:

March 15, 1960 F. OSBORNE 2 APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION OF CELLULATED SLAG Filed Dec. 28, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. FRED OJBtJ r'AE.

Arrys.

F. OSBORNE March 15, 1960 APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION OF CELLULATED SLAG Filed Dec. 28, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mww Z Ff United States Patent APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION OF CELLULATED SLAG Fred Osborne, Birmingham, Ala., assignor to S. P. Kinney Engineers, Inc., Carnegie, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 28, 1954, Serial No. 478,137

4 Claims. (Cl. 239-273) This invention is directed in general to apparatus for cellulating molten slag and more specifically to apparatus of this type which may be readily adjusted to compensate for variations in the volume and viscosity of the molten slag and for varying the size and degree of cellulation of the small masses intowhich the slag is broken for cellulation.

In my copending application Serial No. 255,029, filed November 6, 1951, now Patent No. 2,702,407, there is disclosed and claimed method and apparatus for progressive cellulation of molten slag by first interrupting a stream of free falling slag by means of a gaseous medium such as steam or air so as to project the slag outwardly as relatively small molten or very hot discrete masses which are subsequently exposed to an atomized water spray to progressively cellulate the slag and produce a product which is very strong and has a density of about A of that of the molten slag.

The apparatus disclosed in my copending application :is so mounted that once it is placed in operation it'will continue to produce uniform quality of cellulated slag provided the free falling stream of slag upon which it operates remained substantially uniform in quantity and quality. Some provision was made for varying the force of the cellulating streams of steam and water, but in the event that it was found desirable to vary the degree of tcellulation of the discrete slag masses or to make major adjustments to compensate for variations in the quality or quantity of the free falling slag body it was necessary to shut down the apparatus in order to make the necessary adjustments.

In the present application the apparatus for performing .the cellulating operation is substantially that shown in :the earlier filed application, however, the method of mounting the air, steam and water nozzles has been materially improved. In the present invention I have provided for both vertical and horizontal adjustment of both the steamand water nozzles and have also provided for :independent adjustment of the steam nozzle relative to the water nozzles. Provisions have also been made to 'vary the size of the masses into which the falling slag is broken by providing for adjustability of both thesize and :speed of the vapor stream used to break up the molten islag. Each of the foregoing adjustments can be made quickly and readily without shutting down the apparatus.

In the drawings forming part of this disclosure, Fig. 1

':shows in side elevation the apparatus in its relation to .the slag stream;

Fig. 2 shows a front elevation of the apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section through the vapor nozzle used to break up the slag stream into discrete masses for cellulation.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference character 1 refers to a slag trough which maybe constructed of metal having ceramic insulating lining 2 for conveying molten slag from the furnace to a generally semi-cylindrical member 3 having a pour outlet 4 over which the slag moves and flows as a free falling stream into a cellulating chamber 5 where it is broken up and acted upon by the cellulating apparatus. The member? is preferably a hollow metallic member which is cooled by water flowing through the inlet 6 and outlet 7 thereof. Suitable conduits being connected with such inlet and outlet for conveying water to. and away from the mentber. The cellulating chamber 5 is also preferably made of metal and is hollow so that water continually flowing therethrough cools the member and prevents rapid deterioration from the heat of the molten slag being operated upon. The member 5 is also semi-cylindrical in shape and extends outwardly from the plane of the falling slag so as to confine the molten discrete masses into which the slag stream is broken for better exposure to the atomized water spray used as a cellulating medium.

:Disposed wholly behind the plane of the falling molten slag stream is a vapor nozzle 8 and water atomizing nozzles 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Each of the nozzles 9 to 14 inclusive is mounted upon a suitable nipple 15 which is connected-by means of a standard flexible ball pipe joint 16 with suitable lengths of pipe 17a, b, c, d, e and f extending therefrom and mounted in a base 18. The pipe sections 17a, b, c, d, e and extend through the base 18 and terminate in suitable connections 17g for attachment too to flexible conduits (not shown) carrying A water to the nozzles. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the nozzles 9 to 13 inclusive are mounted about the inner periphery of the chamber 5 for projecting atomized water into the cellulating chamber. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the nozzles 9 to 14 are preferably adjusted so that their streams converge adjacent the outer end portion of the member 5. In order to atomize thewater flowing through the nozzles 9 to 14 inclusive a suitable air line 56 is connected with each nozzle. 14 is similar in all respects to the nozzles 9 to 13 inclusive, but is preferably mounted above the steam nozzle 8 and behind'the slag stream for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The steam nozzle 8 is also mounted on the base 18 by means of a bracket comprising a base'portion 19 and spaced side walls 20 reinforced by the ribs 21. The side walls 20 at their upper ends having inwardly'turned flanges 22 for guiding engagement with the vapor nozzle 8. As shown in Fig. 3, the vapor nozzle 8 comprises a tapering hollow barrel portion 23 having at one end a discharge opening 24 and at its opposite end an enlarged portion 25 forming a mixing chamber. The chamber 25 terminates in an end wall 26 having a threaded outer periphery upon which is mounted the cap 27. The discharge opening 24 of the portion 23 is substantially rectangular in shape, as shown-in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and within the portion 23 adjacent the discharge opening 24 is slidably mounted a member 28 for varying the shape of the discharge opening 24 and velocity of the vapor streamprojected from the nozzle. A relatively narrow rib 29 is disclosed above the member 28 and witht in the portion 23 and spaced to provide clearance 'for the top of the member 28. Extending into the nozzle 8 through the cap 27 is. an operating rod 30 which connects with the member 28 within the nozzle portion 23. A hollow cylindrical guard portion 31 is mounted on the end cap 27 about rod 30 and a removable pin 32 extends through the guard portion 31 for selective engagement with a plurality of adjustment holes 33 disposed along the length of the rod 30 so that the element 28 can be adjustably located relative to nozzle discharge opening 24. Preferably a chain member 34is connected with the pin member 32 and thecap'Z'Z, The degree of adjustment of the member 28 may be any desired amount, a maximum movement to the right and left of 2% inches from that shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings has been found suitable. The member 28 is shown in fully retracted posi- Patentecl Mar. 15, 1 960 The nozzle tion by dot and dash lines on Fig. 3. steam connectionf.

I s pn .t wtsmz e .25, fro' ch mber n. hes

35 extends into the chamber and a suitable inlet is also provided for water. On the base portion of the chamber 25 of-the nozzle 8, asshownin Fig.2;5are de- I pend nglegs37 terminating in flanges 38 for engagemjqnt with the flanges 2 2 of the support bracket 20. Qnsub stantially the longitudinal center line is a pad 39 npon which is mounted a sectionof a rack 40 by means of fastening members); The. nozzle 8 is movably' mounted relative tothe bracket sidewalls 20 by means of a gear .42 mounted on shaft 43 journaled in the side wall'sflii.

. An oneratiqgrhandle 4 .m t s .9 s f 4 f r tion' of the ge 42 Pr0Yi iug 'hpri zontal movement of th nozzle relativetothebracket ZOand the stream of molten slag iss ing from the-outlet 4015 mem er The b y 0f n zl s .8 to 14 inelusive is dir ct y con ected ith-t e as m mber. l j hich. ingturn. is connected y, ert ally adjus able members 4Einfithsa has; I mb 5rWhiCh9 H turn is moyablymeunted uponthe bracket angles 47. ;Ihe membersfflform part er -a suitable bracket 43 attached to the wall. its-upon which the chamber 5 is -mounted. -Mounted beneath the cases where it is desired to ndvan'ce or retract the entire assembly of nozzles '8 to 14 relative to chamber 5, handle 54 may be manipulated to move support 46 by means of gears SI-andracks 50.

For purposes of illustration; rack and pinion opera- :tion of the apparatus has beenshown and described. 'A

worm and gear type pf operation may. be substituted for'the rack andfgear if desired. The use of a worm gear'has the advantage of preciseness of adjustment and lack of back lash. The substitution ,of the worm gear 7 for the spur gear, and modification of the rack toutiliz e a worm. gearare'within the skill of any mechanic.

' It is for these reasons that additional showing of a worm gear is deemed unnecessary.

This'application is a continuation-in-part of my co- 7 peding application Serial No. 2 55,029,filed November base member46 are suitablegracksegments 50 engaged" by gears 51 mounted upon a shaft 52 journaledonkhe 'members 47 by means ofthe bearings 53 and 53:1,: One

end of the shaft 52 extends beyond the bearing 53:; and

has an operating handle 54 rigidly. mounted on such' extension. Upon rotation of: the handle. 54. and shaft 52 the gears 51 move the basernember. 46 horizontally upon the members 47 toadvance and retract the. nozzle assembly towardsand away from the chamber 5. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings,.the'members 45 connecting the base member 46 and base 18 are vertically adjustable so that the base-18 and nozzle assemblymay' be adjusted vertically relative to the supporting base" member 46. [III order to avoid lateral displacement of. the base member 46 on the members 47, guide angles 55 are secured to the base 46 and bear beneath the horizontal leg of the members 47. i

When the foregoing apparatus is in operation, the nozzle 8 projects a stream of steam, air or other suitable gaseous medium againstthe back of the falling molten slag stream. The force andshape of'the stream is'such as to causelthe molten slag to break into small discrete masses which are projected through the chamber 5 by V the force of the. steam. The nozzles 9 to 13 are simultaneously projecting an atomized water'spray, the spray from said nozzlesconverging outwardly'of the plane of he falling slag stream and adjacent'the outer. end of the chamber 15. The hot discrete masses moving through the atomizedwater spray are progressively cellulated as set forth in my copending application.- As also set forth in the said copending'application, nozzle 14may be uti lized to spray-atomized water against the slag stream before the stream is broken into discrete masses. .The

9 1, now Pate ZJ ZA Z .lfilaim j K .1 PPa ams r adiust v-supp i a a t of one form .Of nozzlesand a second form ofnoz zles relative to each other and to a surface to be acted upon by fluid from said ndzzles, comprising a base member mounting a group of first form of nozzles in fixed relation 'to the base, a bracketsupported by the base member andextending; upwardly'therefromya second form of nozzle disposedabove said base. adjacent said bracket, means on said bracket supporting said second form of nozzle for movement relative to said bracket, :a fixed support disposed beneath said base member, a-secondbase. member mounte'd on said support in spaced relationto the first said base member for movement longitudinally of said support,,mean s connecting said spaced base mem= bers,- and' means connecting said second base member and with said support. for selectively moving said. seconda base member longitudinally'of said support. 1

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the base members'rare. vertically adjustable. V 3. Apparatus as defined in elaim 2 wherein the means providing moyementjof the-second'form ofnozzle relative'to the basecom'prises dependirig'members on .the latter nozzle ,slidably engagingthebracketya rackmember purpose of spray from nozzle 14 is to 'apply the water in those cases ,where a particularly viscous 'slagis being.

operated upon. .Water from nozzle 14 causes some slight cellulation andcooling of the particularly viscous "slag making it more amenable to action nozzle 8.

The assembly of nozzles '8 to 14 inclusive may-be raised'or lowered vertically by manipulation of the members 4.5 beneath base'18'; These members are shown as turnbuckles and rotation in'one direction raises base,

18, while rotation in the opposite. direction lowersbase by rotation of handle 44. Rotation of handle 44 in one direction rotates gear 42 in engagement with rackdfl ito adyance nozzle 8 towards the fallin'gfslag stream 'and 18 relative to support 46. Nozzle S may be adjusted V in a horizontal plane'relative to the 'fallingslag stream chamber s. 'Rotation"ofjhandleiflin theflopposite at. V

mounted beneath; said nozzle and a gear rotatably mounted on the said bracket in engagementwith said rack for movement of the rack uponrotation of the gear.

4, Apparatus asdefined in iclaimt3"wher.ein the'means engaging said second base memberfor movement reluw tive to said fixed bracket comprises, a shaft .journaled in saidfix'ed bracket, agear mounted on said shaft in fixed relation thereto'anda rack mounted. beneath'said base member in engagement with said gear for advancement an retraction-of the said second base niemb'erupon rotation of said shaft in. opposite direction.

V References Cited in the tile of thislpatent UNITED S AT S P A-TENTS 982,964

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I Patent No, 2328 609 March 15 1960 Fred Osborne It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column .2 line, 56, for -:"disclosed read disposed e Signed and sealed this day of August 1960,

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROB RT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

